GHIC still not approved and traveling to Spain next week

[SRod]

Hi,
We are planning to go to Spain next Wednesday and its been over 10 years since we have been abroad and forgot about needing a GHIC. Usually it looks like applications are approved in 24hrs and even if you don't receive the card, you can use the number upon approval to cover you.
However they asked for some supportive documents to be sent across to them and looks like it takes them 15 days to review document sent for approval.
So we are extremely worried we will not have even the approval before we go on holiday next week.

We have travel insurance with Staysure but they are saying you must have a GHIC in-order to meet the conditions for any payouts.

I was wondering if anyone could advice on the following

• If a problem occurs while we are in Spain and don't yet have approval for the GHIC - what options do we have. I know you can apply for a provisional replacement certificate but it looks like you can only apply for this is you have a card already but just forgot it/lost it.
• Does anyone know of any insurance that does not need a GHIC?

I brought insurance from Coverwise and it provides insurance through AXA. On my policy it says that GHIC is advised and if I get a reduction in treatment because of its use then I won’t need to pay excess . Not sure but to me it seems it’s advised and not compulsory. May be call them and ask.

Only use the official NHS website when requesting the GHIC. What other information has been requested?. Steer clear of such sites who also charge for something that is free.

I would double check with your travel insurers but I think GHIC is not compulsory but only advised.

Agree with @AttilaTheMeerkat ..

Usual advice if traveling without a GHIC is that you have to lay up front if you need treatment, keep receipts, claim back from ? NHS? On return.

Have you used a dodgy website?

I called to speak to them last week about my application and they were surprisingly helpful. You could try that? They also wanted information from me which I sent Thursday and had an email Monday to say the card had been issued. It hasn’t arrived yet.
you can also apply for a provisional replacement certificate if yours doesn’t arrive in time which I didn’t know til I called.

I’d get another policy from a comparison site. I don’t recall getting a GHIC or its EU predecessor ever being an issue in the many times I’ve bought travel insurance.

I recently travelled without a GHIC card, it was expired and I was insured so never thought about it.

I ended up in hospital but they sent the bill to my house about 2 weeks later. I filled in a form online under a post use ghic system and it was all covered.

If it hadn't been I'd have just put a claim in

I just applied for one for my son for a school trip- it arrived 10 days later. No documentation required at all.

We didn’t apply for GHIC - completely overlooked it. We had cover with AXA though. Both DD’s needed treatment on holiday - one for an ear infection, one for an eye infection. Went to a private clinic and paid upfront. Emailed the receipts to AXA once home and they transferred the money to our bank account, no questions.

Thanks everyone for replies. NHS overseas opens at 08.00am, so going to start off with ringing them and then will try a different travel insurer like Coverwise/AXA like suggested!

We now have insurance with cover wise!! We also rung NHS overseas, who confirmed we could request a PRC even if our current application is yet to be approved. Thanks for the advise!!! We now don't have to disappointment our daugther this is her first aboard holiday. :)